LEAGUES CUP
2023 Leagues Cup: LAFC, Chivas, Tigres...leading candidates to lift the trophy
The new incarnation of the Leagues Cup will see 47 clubs participate during the summer with all 18 Liga MX and 29 MLS teams in action.
A totally new and reimagined format of the MLS/Liga MX Leagues Cup kicks off on 21 July in Miami as Orlando SC face Houston Dynamo in a tournament that will see 47 clubs participate with all 18 Liga MX and 29 MLS teams in action.
The official CONCACAF competition takes place from 21 July 21-19 August at MLS stadiums in the U.S. and Canada and three teams from the Leagues Cup will qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League.
The competition was given a timely boost with the news that Leo Messi will make his Inter Miami debut in the Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale (on 21 July) with demand for tickets through the roof to see the mercurial Argentine at close quarters.
Despite the arrival of Messi and Busquets, Inter Miami are struggling in the league and not expected to advance deep into the competition as we look at five candidates who we feel will be serious contenders to progress in the competition.
Leagues Cup 2023: AS USA predictions
Seattle Sounders
The Sounders are involved in arguably one of the most complicated three team groups as they face Real Salt Lake away before facing Rayados who topped the Liga MX 2023 Clausura season at Lumen Field.
Both key players Jordan Morris (top scorer for Seattle this season in MLS with 9 goals) and playmaker Cristian Roldan will be available again for head coach Brian Schmetzer after USMNT Gold Cup duty and in Brazilian Leo Chú, the Sounders have one of the best providers of assists in the league.
Chivas Guadalajara
Under the guidance of Spanish sporting director Fernando Hierro and Serbian head coach Veljko Paunovic, Chivas were pipped at the post in the final of the 2023 Liga MX Clausura by Tigres who showed that experience is vital in knockout competitions.
On their journey to the final, the side from Guadalajara grew into the competition and were comfortable in the knockout stage with a solid defensive performance against city rivals Atlas FC ahead of a memorable second leg semi-final win over America at the Azteca sealing a final berth.
Oscar Whalley, Ricardo Marin are solid reinforcements but the acquisition of Erick Gutierrez from PSV that will take Chivas to the next level.
Rayados
Monterrey were the dominant force in the 2023 Clausura but fell short at the playoff stage with their defeat to Santos Laguna leading to exit of veteran coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich.
For many, Fernando Ortiz was a surprise replacement but the Argentine has shown his credentials in his time with America.
Rayados have a squad packed with top quality Mexico internationals and with the likes of Gallardo, Romo, Guzman, Aguirre and Argentine stopper Andrada in the ranks, on their day the side from the Estadio BBVA could match any MLS or Liga MX opponent.
LAFC
Whilst there’s no denying that losing the Concacaf Champions League has been a major set back for LAFC, Steve Cherundolo’s side are still an irresistible force on their day. Denis Boauanga’s goals saw the ‘Black and Gold’ dominate the Western Conference in the early stage of the 2023 MLS season and a lack of depth in the squad could be accused for a blip in the LA side’s demanding schedule as they played two games a week for the opening months of the campaign.
The ‘Black and Gold’ also get a by straight into the Round of 32 (as do 2022 Apertura champions Pachuca) by virtue of their 2022 MLS Cup win.
Tigres
Despite finishing seventh in the 2023 Clausura season and forced to play in the ‘repechaje’, the side from Nuevo Leon majestically maneuvered their way to the final and were too strong for Chivas with a 2-3 win at the Estadio Akron to secure the title.
Despite being 37 years old, French striker Gignac still poses a major threat in a star studded team featuring the likes of Javier Aquino, Luis Quiñones and Sebastian Cordova.
Tigres have also shown with their performances in the Concacaf Champions League where the reached the semi-final, falling to eventual winners, that they are a side that have mastered knockout type games and should thrive in the Leagues Cup and should progress from a group that includes Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes.
